An album fueled in Hell
I've started to become disillusioned with modern metal, there doesn't seem to be any bands capable of writing anything mind blowing without resorting to tried and tested methods, shouting, and bandwagon jumping. I've tried to like Sonic Syndicate and Sanctity but as well as they can play and as good a production they have they fall down, as do the vast majority of new bands, on the one basic ingredient, song-writing. Agreed, there are bands that are good at what they do, whether it be Viking metal, Gothenburg thrash, American Hardcore etc... but how many NEW bands have made you sit up and go, "what the hell was that?" I'm not saying Sweden's Hellfueled are one of those bands that make you shit your pants in excitement but they are perhaps one of the few new bands I've heard in the past three years to be labelled as very promising.
We're not talking original here, 'Memories in Black' is about as original as pie and chips, but what we are talking about is an album that is just plain good. I get a lot of good albums through RoomThirteen and deserve high scores within their sub genres but what we have here is an album that has cross over appeal without losing any of its hard-hitting intensity. Imagine Black Sabbath pissing in the same pot as Down and being flushed away by Corrosion of Conformity then you may have an idea where Hellfueled are sitting. Vocalist Andy Alkman has an eerie similarity to a young Ozzy Osborne and when you hear guitarist Jocke Lundgren chock out those big Tommy Iommi/Zakk Wylde style riffs on such songs as 'Sky Walker' and 'Master of Night' you realise how much this urinates all over the new 'by the numbers' Ozzy Osborne album.
Thankfully it doesn't sound like Inflames either, we've been spared that carbon copy production. The sound is raw and powerful yet brutal enough to satisfy any kind of metal head. Opener 'Rewinding Time' and 'Monster' are great rocking songs that set the tone of the album, like I said we're not talking original just good which is all most music fans ask for. Alkman carries a melody well and makes a nice change from the cookie-cutter rah rah rah techniques and growled verse/pink n fluffy chorus of many new bands. As a consequence Alkman and the rest of Hellfueled sound fresh and exciting even though they're just chocking out good ole fashioned heavy metal. I'm not saying the above styles are bad it's just I've heard so much of it over the past few years the whole idea has become diluted.
Hellfueled arguably sound more American than Scandinavian especially on the more mellow 'Again' which could suggest a potential market if they could get themselves over the pond. Those metal fans who strive for something original and new won't find much joy here but those amongst the metal following who remember straight metal and like the big riffs played with devilish aplomb then 'Memories in Black' will be a good investment. No tricks, no gimmicks, no make up, no emo, no screamo, no orchestra, no guest appearances, I'm sure you'll agree it's hard to find albums these days without any of the above in them but that is 'Memories in Black's' strength, it reminds you how much power can be created by four guys, a guitar, a bass, a set of drums and the odd Hammond organ.